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Conditioning and Storing Flowers

Conditioning and Storing Flowers. Long lasting flowers. important pleases customer happy customers return to the florist when they need flowers in the future. Flower deterioration. Low water absorption most flower stems are at least partially blocked when they arrive at the retail florist.

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Conditioning and Storing Flowers

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  1. Conditioning and Storing Flowers

  2. Long lasting flowers • important • pleases customer • happy customers return to the florist when they need flowers in the future

  3. Flower deterioration • Low water absorption • most flower stems are at least partially blocked when they arrive at the retail florist

  4. Causes of blockage • cutting stems with dull tools • cut with shears that pinch the xylem (water conducting tubes in the stem)

  5. Causes of blockage • bacteria or minerals in the water clog the stem

  6. Loss of water • transpiration • process by which plants lose water through their leaves

  7. Transpiration • gases and water vapor move from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration

  8. Loss of Water • water vapor moves out of the plant through the stomata (stomates) • tiny openings in the underside of the leaf

  9. Loss of Water • flowers wilt when moisture is lost through transpiration quicker than it is taken in through the stems.

  10. Loss of Water • occurs more rapidly at higher temperatures

  11. Loss of food • flowers are still living and need a source of food

  12. Loss of food • flowers continue to photosynthesize after they are cut • must be given the proper light and a source of sugar

  13. Disease • Botrytis • a fungus which causes brown spots on petals

  14. Botrytis • do not allow flowers to get wet before putting them in the cooler • allow wet flowers to dry before putting in the cooler

  15. Ethylene Gas • naturally occurring gas in flowers that speed maturity

  16. Ethylene Gas • causes rapid deterioration of cut flowers • many sources of ethylene gas

  17. Ethylene Gas • fruit, especially apples • diseased or injured flowers

  18. Ethylene Gas • rotting foliage below the water line • exhaust fumes from cars

  19. Symptoms of ethylene • premature death • flower and petal drop • yellowing of foliage

  20. Symptoms of ethylene • loss of foliage • upward cupping of petals - known as sleepiness in carnations.

  21. pH • pH of 3.2 - 4.5 maximizes hydration • floral preservatives commonly added to prolong flower life lower the pH

  22. Conditioning flowers • techniques of treating flowers to extend their life. • Begins when flowers arrive from the wholesaler

  23. Unpacking • as soon as they arrive • loosen paper or plastic sleeves which they have been wrapped in

  24. Unpacking • flowers will expand as they mature • flowers will be crushed if the sleeves are not loosened.

  25. Unpacking • do not loosen sleeves on roses • customers prefer roses in the bud stage

  26. Unpacking • check for signs of disease, damage or wilting • remove damaged or diseased flowers from the bunch before storage

  27. Unpacking • excessive damage should be reported to the wholesaler

  28. Re-cut the stems • stems are cut with a knife rather than shears • shears can pinch the xylem tubes causing partial blockage

  29. Re-cut the stems • cut stems on a slant • this helps them to absorb more water • prevents the stems from sealing to the bottom of the container

  30. Re-cut the stems • stems should be cut under warm water • warm water contains less air than cold water

  31. Re-cut the stems • stems that have a milky sap must be blackened over a flame or put the tips in boiling water for 10-30 seconds to seal the sap so water can be absorbed.

  32. Remove lower foliage • remove all foliage from stems that would be underwater in the storage container • foliage left underwater will decay and lead to bacterial growth

  33. Remove lower foliage • rotting foliage clogs the stems and releases ethylene gas

  34. Clean Containers and Cooler • containers for flower storage should be cleaned with hot detergent solution, disinfected with bleach and thoroughly rinsed

  35. Clean Containers and Cooler • a 10% bleach solution is used for disinfecting the containers

  36. Metal Containers • decrease the effectiveness of preservatives

  37. Preservatives • Place a warm preservative solution in the container prior to adding flowers

  38. Preservatives • temperature of the solution should be between 100 degrees and 110 degrees Farenheit

  39. Preservatives • can be purchased in either liquid or powder form • follow directions for mixing the preservative

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